Package opener



April 15, 1941. E, ROBE 2,238,753

PACKAGE OPENER Filed May 25, 1939 INVENTOR Edward 'Roa'e ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1941 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a package opener.

The invention has for an object the construction of an opener as mentioned which is characterized by a steel strip having one end curled upwards and inwards and a portion thereof continuing into a pointed blade portion also extending inwards, and a convenient cover for normally encasing said blade portion and arranged to be extendable so as to be usable as a handle for said opener. The opener may be used for numerous purposes such as opening small packages, cutting strings and threads, opening envelopes and other articles and many additional purposes.

' The invention furthermore contemplates the provision of a window opening in the steel strip through which the pointed blade portion may be seen so that one may view parts being cut by the opener.

A still further object of this invention resides in a novel construction of the cover arranged so that it may maintain a closed position and be easily opened when desired.

Still further, the invention proposes the construction of an article as mentioned which is simple, and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a. ma-

terial part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package being opened with an opener constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the opener, per se.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the cover, per se.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the steel strip portion of the opener, illustrated per se.

Fig. '7 is a. perspective View of the opener illustrated with the cover closed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the opener illustrated with the cover opened and shown upside down, so that the blade may be seen.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of an opener constructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line lfl-IB of Fig. 9.

The package opener according to this invention includes a steel strip 10 having one end portion HI curled upwards and inwards. This end portion continues into a pointed blade portion Ni extending inwards and preferably at an inclination to the length of the strip. The blade portion Hl is formed with sharpened edges NW at its sides. In use either sharpened sides may be used. A cover I l is hingedly mounted on the other end of the strip It and is adapted to extend across the strip to cover the blade portion 10 The hinged connection between the strip and the cover is accomplished by several curled portions I0 formed upon the end of the strip l0 and engaged between several curled portions H formed upon the end of the cover. A pintle pin l2 engages through these curled portions and accomplishes the hinged connections of these parts.

The strip l0 preferably, should be flat. The cover H is arched so that it extends over the blade portion Ill A means is provided for releasably holding the cover closed. This means includes a projecting element ll from the free end of the cover adapted to engage the curled inward edge Hl of the strip J0. The cover ll normally is slightly shorter than the strip l0 so that when it is closed upon the strip a little pressure is necessary before the curled element H snaps over the curled portion ID. The resiliency of the cover is depended upon to keep the cover in its closed position. The curled element I I furthermore, has a. projecting end portion l l which may be used as a handle by which the cover H may be opened. This handle may be forced upwards to accomplish opening of the cover.

A window opening I4 is formed in the strip If] in the vicinity of the blade portion 10 The operation of the device is as follows: In the closed position as illustrated in Fig. 7, the article may be conveniently carried in ones pocketbook, pocket, or stored conveniently in a drawer. To use the opener it is necessary that the opener ll be first open, that is, the cover hinged around through substantially degrees to a position as illustrated in Fig. 8. In this extended position of the cover, the article may be gripped using the cover as a handle.

The device is used by having the blade portion 10 directed downwards. One may look through the window opening l4 to see-the blade so as to properly direct the blade to cut open the package Because of the inclination or to out an article.

cutting his finger through the opening.

In Figs. 9 and 10, a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form, essentially in the construction of the cover. In this form, the opener has a cover ll provided with side wall portions I I This cover may be stamped from sheet metal or formed in any other manner, preferably so that the side wall portions are integral with it. With this construction the resiliency of the projecting element I l is depended upon to hold the cover in its closed position.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms and identical parts have been indicated by the identical reference numerals.

It is to be understood that the blade may be either left, right or a diagonal knife, located in the center of the device, and made of any suitable length.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A package opener, comprising a steel strip having one end curled upwards and inwards and a portion thereof continuing into a pointed blade portion extending inwards, and a cover hingedly mounted on the other end of said strip and extending across said strip to cover said blade portion, said strip being fiat, and said cover being arched so as to extend over said blade portion, means for releasably holding said cover closed, comprising elements on said cover resiliently engageable with a portion of said strip.

2. A package opener, comprising a steel strip having one end curled upwards and inwards and a portion thereof continuing into a pointed blade portion extending inwards, and a cover-hingedly mounted on the other end of said strip and extending across said strip to cover said blade portion, said strip being flat, and said cover being arched so as to extend over said blade portion, means for releasably holding said cover closed, comprising elements on said cover resiliently engageable with a portion of said strip, the resiliency of said cover serving to assist in resiliently engaging said elements with said strip, said elements comprising a small projecting portion from the free end of said cover.

3. A package opener, comprising a steel strip having one end curled upwards and inwards and a portion thereof continuing into a pointed blade portion extending inwards, and a cover hingedly mounted on the other end of said strip and extending across said strip to cover said blade portion, said strip being flat, and said cover being arched so as to extend over said blade portion, means for releasably holding said cover closed, comprising elements on said cover resiliently engageable with a portion of said strip, the resiliency of said cover serving to assist in resiliently engaging said elements with said strip, said elements comprising a small projecting portion from the free end of said cover, said projecting portion continuing into a handle portion by which the cover may be opened.

EDWARD ROBIE. 

